Daily Tanach – Yechezkal Chapter 13: Condemnation of False Prophets and Prophetesses (Wednesday, 25th Teves)

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Chapter 13: Condemnation of False Prophets and Prophetesses

1. Rebuke of False Prophets (Verses 1–9)

G‑d commands Yechezkel to prophesy against the prophets of Israel who speak from their own hearts:

  • Woe to the prophets who follow their own desires without true vision.
  • They are like foxes among ruins, failing to repair breaches or protect Israel in times of danger.
  • They speak lies, claiming, “The word of the Lord,” though G‑d did not send them.
  • Therefore, G‑d declares:
    • His hand will be against them.
    • They will not belong to His people, nor enter the land of Israel.
    • All will know that He is the Lord G‑d.
  1. The Flimsy Wall Metaphor (Verses 10–16)
  • These false prophets mislead the people, saying “Peace” when there is no peace.
  • Their lies are like building a flimsy wall and plastering it with daub.
  • G‑d will send storm winds, driving rain, and hailstones to destroy the wall, exposing its foundation.
  • Both the wall and its builders will perish, proving their visions were false.
  1. Rebuke of False Prophetesses (Verses 17–23)

G‑d commands Yechezkel to speak against the women who prophesy lies:

  • They sew cushions for arms and make veils for heads to ensnare souls for personal gain—barley and bread.
  • They profane G‑d by killing souls that should live and sustaining souls that should die.
  • G‑d will tear away their cushions and veils, freeing His people from their traps.
  • They will no longer prophesy lies or practice divination.
  • All will know that G‑d is the Lord.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.